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Chris Coleman says Joe Allen most likely to start for Wales against Slovakia

Joe Allen is the most likely of the trio of injured players to start for Wales in their opening Euro 2016 game
Image: Joe Allen is the most likely of the trio of injured players to start for Wales in their opening Euro 2016 game

Wales manager Chris Coleman says that Joe Allen is the most likely member of the three injured players to start in their opening Euro 2016 game against Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday.

Liverpool's Allen, who is suffering with a knee injury, missed Wales' warm-up game against Sweden last weekend, along with fellow team-mates Joe Ledley and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Crystal Palace midfielder Ledley broke his leg on May 7 but has made a remarkable recovery and has been included in Coleman's squad, as has Robson-Kanu, who has an Achilles injury.

While the Welsh manager said it would be "reckless" to start with the trio of players who were not fully fit, he said he would be happy to bring them on from the bench.

Wales' Joe Ledley warms up during the International Friendly match at the Friends Arena, Stockholm.
Image: Joe Ledley fractured his leg in May but has made a remarkable recovery

"I'm not giving anything away to say we can't start with all three. It would be reckless really," he told reporters.

"Joe Ledley did the injury at the end of the season and we were all thinking the same thing - a broken leg is a broken leg. But he has done so well to get back to where he is.

"I think it is fair to say you can't really see Joe playing 90 minutes. But can he play a part? Yes.

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"He could play a part, both Joes and Hal, unless there is a real bad reaction between now and the weekend."

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Joe Ledley, Joe Allen and Hal Robson-Kanu are all expected to be available for Wales' opening game against Slovakia

Coleman added that midfielder Allen would be the most likely to start because of his significance to how Wales play.

"Between now and the end of the season Joe Allen has had more football... so you would have to say Joe is further down the line in terms of being ready to start a game," Coleman added.

"And he is integral to how we want to play because he plays in that pivot role for us."

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Gareth Bale was the focus of attention on Wednesday as Wales trained for their Euro 2016 opener against Slovakia, but will Ledley be fit for Saturday's match?

The Welsh team are currently staying in Dinard, a resort on France's northern coast, where they have been spotted wandering around the seaside town.

"I don't want them locked up," said Coleman, who believes the sense of freedom will help the players in the run up to their first appearance at a major tournament in 58 years.

"I know what our group are like and locking them up is not for them, they are not used to it.

"For teams who have been in tournament football every time, it's different for them.

Wales boss Chris Coleman
Image: Coleman has said his players are not on

"But if our guys want to go out and have a walk, have a coffee to escape the hotel environment, we haven't got a problem with that.

"It's not like a lock-down every day. It's not like a prison camp."

Coleman said that, despite the freedoms permitted by staying at the Brittany resort, the whereabouts of the players are known at all times.

"If a player leaves the hotel, we need to tell UEFA doping where they are within one hour," said Coleman.

"So you need to know where they are at all times. It's just the way it is."

Wales has been drawn in Group B for the 24 team tournament with Slovakia, England and Russia.

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